Sanjeev N. Mehta, M.D., M.P.H

Research Summary

Dr. Mehta focuses his research and clinical interests on preventing the late complications of type 1 diabetes and preserving the health of children, adolescents and young adults with diabetes.

Dr. Mehta’s research concentrates on three areas: (1) understanding the role of nutrition and dietary behaviors on health outcomes for youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes; (2) utilizing the Joslin electronic health record to evaluate and optimize health care delivery for individuals with diabetes; and (3) designing and evaluating novel applications in information technology to improve the care, education and support of individuals with diabetes.

Dr. Mehta has studied the impact of dietary behaviors on health outcomes and overall nutrition of youth with type 1 diabetes. His work has demonstrated significant associations between proficiency with carbohydrate counting and adherence to diabetes-specific dietary behaviors to improve glycemic control. Further, his work has demonstrated suboptimal nutrition in young children, ages 2-12 years, with type 1 diabetes. Subsequent research aimed at identifying the various barriers and strategies to eating a more healthy diet. He is currently the senior co-investigator of an NIH-funded, randomized controlled trial targeting youth with type 1 diabetes ages 8-16 years which aims to improve diet as a means to improve health outcomes. This study, the Cultivating Healthy Environments for Families living with Type 1 Diabetes Study, is a collaborative effort with the NICHD.

Dr. Mehta has a strong interest in using health information technology to improve health care delivery for all individuals with diabetes. He is leading the effort to redesign Joslin electronic health record. In addition to improving the quality of data capture for Joslin patients, this effort aims to facilitate the translation of the Joslin EHR into a high-quality research database aimed at better understanding care delivery and health outcomes at the Joslin. He also has an emerging interest in novel applications of information technology (e.g., web-based applications) which could provide support and education to individuals with diabetes and their families. In March 2012, Dr. Mehta was appointed Director of Quality at Joslin Diabetes Center. In this position, Dr. Mehta leads Joslin in developing initiatives aimed at improving health care delivery, health outcomes, and cost reduction for individuals with diabetes.

Biography

Dr. Mehta is Joslin Diabetes Center's Director of Quality, a Staff Physician at Joslin Clinic and an Assistant Investigator in the Section on Genetics and Epidemiology at Joslin Diabetes Center, as well as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Mehta received his medical degree from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and his Master’s degree in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He did his pediatric residency training at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and his pediatric endocrinology fellowship training at Children’s Hospital Boston and Joslin.